Multiple fan



Oct, 14 1924.

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. like characters designate Patented Oct. 14, 1924.

UNITED STATES NELS ON H. HENDERSON, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

MULTIPLE mm.

Application filed July 15, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELsoN H. HENDER- son, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Multiple Fan, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object a multiple fan or blower designed for compactness and to give higher pressure than possible with the ordinary fan or blower, which multiple fan is particularly simple in construction, economical in manufacture and highly eflicient and durable in use. This invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a multiple fan embodying my invention, the portions in section being taken on line 1l, Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is an end view.

Figure 3 is a face view of one of the sections or partitions of the fan.

Figures 4, 5, 6 are sectional views taken respectively on line 44, 55, 66, Fig. 3.

Figure 7 is an elevation, partly in section, of another form of my multiple fan.

Figures 8 and 9 are respectively, an end elevation, and a fragmentary sectional view of my multiple fan showing means for water cooling the same and for scrubbing gas passing therethrough.

F igures 10 and 11 are respectively a sectiona view and an end view of another form of fan.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic elevation of one of the sections and contiguous parts showing the section provided with a ring of stationary vanes around the fans to increase the efliciency of the fan by directing the flow of air or gas as it leaves the tips of the fan blades.

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken centrally on Fig. 12.

This multiple fan comprises generall a plurality of fans arranged in .cham ers which are connected in series whereby the Serial No. 485,126.

first fan discharges into the second fan and of the second or next parallel set and the first fan of such other set delivers to the first fan of the third set etc., and the last fan of each series discharges into the first fan of the next series.

These fans are located on parallel shafts, within the casing of the machine. The fan wheels are located in chambers so formed that each, when arranged in juxtaposition to the next in order, encloses the fan wheel and leaves a receiving or pressure chamber around the wheel for collecting the gas or air as it leaves the fan blades, and this receiving chamber is so shaped that the velocity head is transformed into pressure, or partly so,.and is directed into the center of the next fan in the series as shown. The direction of flow of the gas or air, on entering the fan may be such as to aid the rotation of this wheel by whatever velocity energy still remains in the gas or the rate of discharge from the fan wheel may be such as to change the velocity energy to pressure energy as much as possible before the air enters the next wheel in the series. A bafile may be so arranged in this air chamber or passage as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, that it will accomplish the above purposes. A number of stationary vanes may also .be arranged around-such wheel as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 for the same purpose.

Each section of the machine may be designed with a water chamber in such a way that cooling water will pass from one side of the machine to the other when going through each section as shown in Fig. 10.

In Figs; 1 and 2, the numeral 1 designates the casing, here illustrated as comprising heads 2, 3 and an enclosing wall or shell 4'. The interior of the casing is divided into chambers connected in series, by transverse partitions, each of which has an opening therethrough which constitutes the inlet for the space on one side of the partition and the outlet for the space on the other side,-the openings in adjacent partitions being out of alinement, and there are fans in the-spaces between the partitions, one in each space, the fans being arranged respectively, in line with the openings with their intake sides adjacent said openings.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there are three sets of fans and a plurality of series of fans and chambers, each series of fans comprising three fans, one from each set. The wall 4 of the casing is cylindrical and hence the partitions 5 are discoidal and fit the cylindrical wall 4 and are spaced from 'each other by marginal annular flanges 6. The flanges 6 of the partition at the exit end of the machine are here shown as lapping a flange 8 on the inner sides of the head 3, and the margins of the cylindrical Wall fit or lap the flange 8 and flange 6 and also the flange 7 on the head 2. The end margins 9 of the strip forming the wall 4 are turned radially outwardly and secured together as by bolts 10. The heads 2, 3 are tied together by a bolt 11 extendin axially of the casing and through centra holes 12 in the'partitions 5, and are spaced apart on the bolt by spacing rings 13. The 1 heads 2, 3 are formed with a suitable inlet 14 and outlet 15 respectively. The partitions 5 are arranged in groups of three, the partitions of each group being designated 5', 5

5 and each partition 5, 5 5 is formed with an opening 16 serving as an inlet for the space on one side of the partition and an' outlet for the space on the other side, and the openings 16 of the partitions 5', 5', 5 are arranged out of alinement and equidistant apart, or in radial linesat afi angle of 120 to each other. However, the iopenings 16 of the partition 5' of all the groups are in alinement, and likewise the openings 16 of the partitions 5 and the openings 16 of the partitions 5 Each partition is also formed with two small holes 160 for two of the fan shafts, the third, fan shaft passing axially through the openings 16. Suitable packing rings as felt washers are preferably located around the holes; 160 and between the partitions. The inlets and outlets 14, 15 of the casing are preferably arranged in alinement.

17, 18, 19 are the fan shafts journaled in the heads 2, 3 of the casing and spaced equidistant apart around the axis of the cylindrical casing of the bolt 11. The shafts 17, 18, 19 are connected to a driver in any suitable manner, and as here shown, pulleys 20, 21, 22 are mounted on the ends of the shafts outside of the head 2, and'a single belt 23 passes around the pulleys and around a driving pulley 24 on a motor shaft not shown. The belt is arranged to rotate all the shafts in the same direction.

25, 26, 27 are the sets of fans mounted on the shafts 17, 18, 19 between the partitions 5 with their intake sides alined wit'hthe openings 16. The partitions may be. flat but to obtainhighest efficiency from the fans, the

blades of the fans are tapered and the'aopposing portions 28,- 29 ofthe partitions are shaped to form fan chambers which conform to the contour of the blades. Also, the portions of the partitions at 30, 31 are shaped to widen the space leading from the fan chamberbetween the portions 28, 29 to great economy in manufacture is obtained as the casing ofeach multiple fan consists of two heads and duplicate partitions and the only additional chang'es to be made is to provide a cylindrical wall of sufiicient length. Also, any pressure may be obtained and the ordinary characteristics of the fan blower retained.

In case where the fans are so numerous in one blower that the end thrust is ob'ectionable, it will be found to advantage to alance the end thruston the shafts, and in such case the fan or blower may be built as shown .in Fig. 7 to have intakes at the opposite ends and the discharge passage 33 in the middle. In such case, the partitions on opposite sides of the discharge passage 33 will be arranged opposite to each other. That is, the spacing flanges of the partitions on the right side of the central discharge opening will point .toward the right and the flanges on the partitions on the left side toward the right.

In some instances, it may be desirable to water cool the fans or to scrub the gas passing through the blower, and as shown in Fig. 9 an inlet pipe 34: for water ma be arranged to discharge into part or al of the spaces between the partitions and preferon the surface of the water accumulating in:

The lower the lower portion of the casing forces the water up through the conduit 36 and through the outlets 37 to the end-of the casing, then through a suitable outlet to the outside of the casing. The overflows are arranged so that the flow of water is contrary to the direction of flow of gas so that the cleaner gas comes in contact with the cleaner water.

This arrangement of waterseals also, of course, may be used to carry off water, removed from the gas by the centrifugal force in such quantities as to necessitate draining off of the water.

In Figs. 10 and 11, is illustrated another form of multiple fan having but two sets of shafts-and fans. In Figs. 10 and 11, the casing includes opposing heads 40 in= termediate. partitions 41 having marginal spacing flanges 42 for spacing the partitions from the heads and from each other, and fastening members as tie bolts 43, extending transversely through the heads 40 and partitions 41. These partitions 41 are also duplicates of each other and each is so constructed that when arranged in one position, it, together with the adjacent partition forms fan chambers 44 and 45, each of which has a central intake 46 and a tangential discharge passage 47 communicating with the intake of the next chamber in the series. 48, 49 are shafts, two in number extending coaxially of the fan chambers and 50, 51 are the fans mounted on the shafts 48, 49 respectively, there being two fans on each series.

In the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11, each side of'the partition 41 is formed with a spacing flange 52 on each side which flange 52 on one side is inverselyarranged with respect to the flange 52 on the other side, and the edge face of each flange 52 is flush with the edge face of the marginal flange 42. The partitions are shaped to provide the fan chambers 44, 45 to conform to the contour of the fan blades. The fan chambers are separated transversely in order to provide substantially tangential inlet and outlet passages by means of'flanges or bafiie plates 53.

The fan shafts 48, 49 are shown as actuated by a motor and a gear, not shown, on the shaft thereof meshing with a gear 56 on the outer end of one of the shafts 48, 49 as the shaft 48. The shaft 48 is connected to the shaft 47 by gears 57, 58 mounted on the shafts within the casing, and an idler gear 59 meshing with the gears 57, 58.

The operation of the fan or blower shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the gasor air passed through two sets of fans arranged in' groups or series consisting of'two fans.

In Figs. 12, 13, each partition is shown as formed with a circular series or ring of stationary blades 60 around the openings 16 in the partition to'increase the efliciency of the fan by directing the flow of air or gas as it leaves the tips of the fan blades.

In all constructions, the pressureis raised whereby the fans of theseries on one shaft are arranged alternately with the fans on the other shaft and means for actuating the shafts.

2. A multiple fan comprising a plurality of fans arranged in parallel sets, the fans of the sets being arranged alternately with those of the others, a casing having fan chambers connected in series, and each chamber of one set communicating with the alternate chamber of the next set, each chamber having an intake concentric with the fan therein and an outlet passage communicating with the intake of the next chamber in the series, and means for actuating the fans, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A multiple fan having a casing comprising opposing heads and intermediate partitions having marginal flanges for spacing the partitions apart from the heads and from each other, the flanges forming the outer walls of the fan chambers, the flange of one partition abutting against the next partition, and fastening members extending through the heads and the partitions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. A multiple fan or blower comprising a casing havin an inlet and an outlet and transverse partitions, each partition having an opening.therethroughconstituting the inlet for the space on one side of the partition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side of the partition, and fans between the partitions, and openings in adjacent parpartitions, one in each, the fans being arranged coaxially with said openings and with their intake sides adjacent said openings, substantially as and for the purpose casing and extending coaxially through said openings respectively, and fans mounted on the shafts respectively in the spaces between the partitions one ineach space, the fans being arranged with their intake sides adjacent said openings, and means for actu- "atingjhe shafts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A multiple fan orblower comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, and

transverse partitions forming a fan chamher, and a receiving chamber between any two partitions, each partition being formed with an opening therethrough constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the par tition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side of the partition, said-openings e leading into the fan chamber on one si of the partition and from the receiving chamber on the opposite side, shafts extending through such openings and the partitions, fans mounted on one or another of the shafts in the spaces between the partitions, one fan in each fan chamber of such spaces, and means for actuating the shafts, substantially as and for the purpose described. w 8. A multiple fan or blower comprising a casing having transverse partitions therein forming a fan chamber, and a receiving chamber between any two partitions, each partition being formed with an opening therethrough constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the partition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side of the partition, said opening leading into the fan chamber on one side of the partition and from the receiving chamber on the opposite side, shafts extendin through such 0 enings and the partitions, t e portions of t e par-. titions confining the receiving chamber being spaced farther apart than the portions confining the fan chambers, fans mounted on one or another of the shafts in the s aces between the partitions, one fan in eac fan chamber of such spaces, and, means for actuating the shafts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 9. A multiple fan or blower comprising a casing having transverse partitions, the partitions being duplicates of each other and having marginal flanges arranged at an an-v gle to the body of the partition to abut against the next partition to space the partitions apart, each partition having an opening therethrough constitutin the inlet for the space on one side of sai partition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side thereof, the openings of adjacent partitions being arranged out of alinement, shafts journaled in the casing and extending coaxially through the openings, fans mounted on the shafts in the spaces between the partitions, one fan in each space, the fans being arran ed coaxially with said openings and with t eir intake sides adjacent said openings, and means for actuating the shafts, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I

10. A multiple fan or blower comprising a cylindrical casing having transverse partitions, each partition having a single opening therethrough constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the partition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side thereof, a series of fans in the casing, one

fan in each of said spaces, the" fans of th r series being arranged with their axes spaced apart'about the axis of the cylindrical casing, and means for actuating the fans, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. A multiple fan or blower comprising a cylindrical casing and discoidal transverse partitions, the partitions being arranged in groups or series, each, partition having an opening therethrough at one side of the cen-.,

ter of the partition, such opening constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the ,partition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side, the openings of the partitions of each group being arranged out of alinement, and like openings of corresponding partitions of the different groups being in alinement, shafts j ournaled in the casing and extending coaxially through said openings, fans mounted respectively on the shafts, one in each space between the, partitions, said fans bein arranged with their intake sides adjacent te0 enings, and means for actuating the sha ts, substantially as and for the purpose-described.

12. A multiple fan or blower comprislng a casing, and a plurality of series or groups of partitions in the casing, each series or group including a plurality of partltlons and each partition having an opening there through constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the artition and the outlet for the space on tiie opposite side of the partition, the openings the partitions of each series being arranged out of alinement and the 'openin s of the corresponding partitions of all t e series being arranged in alinement, shafts journaled in the casing and extending through the alined openings, a fan mounted in. each space between the partitions on one or another of the shafts,

with its intake side adjacent the opening in one of the partitions,and means for actuating the shafts, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. A multiple fan or blower comprising a casing including opposing heads and a cylindrical wall, transverse partitions in the casing, each partition having a spacing flange abutting against the next partition, a tie bolt extending lengthwise of the casing and the partitions centrally thereof, passages connecting the spaces on opposite sides of each partition, each passage constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the partition and the outlet for the space on the opposite side of the partition, fans in such spaces, one in each space arranged with their intake side adjacent the inlet opening for such space, a plurality of shaft-s journaled in the heads on which shafts the fans are. mounted, there being one fan in each chamber and a plurality of fans on each shaft, the shafts extending through the partitions, and means for actuating the shaft, I

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. A multiple fan or blower comprising a casin having inlets at opposite ends thereof, an an outlet intermediate of its ends, transverse partitions in the casing having passages connecting the spaces between the partition, each passage constituting the inlet for the space on one side of the artition, and an outlet on the opposite si e of the partition, a plurality of shafts extending lengthwise of the casing through the partitions, fans arranged on the shafts in such spaces, onefan in each space, the fans in adjacent spaces bein arran ed on difierent shafts and the fans ocated 1n the spaces on one side of the outlet openin being arranged opposite to those on 51c op osite s1de of the outlet opening, substantia 1y as Y and for the purpose described.

15 A multiple fan comprising a casing havlng fan chambers arranged in a series len hwise of the casing, three shafts mounted in the casing and extending lengthwise thereof transversely through the fan chambers and being spaced equidistant apart, fans mounted on the shafts in series, one fan in each chamber and a passage connectmg; the adjacent fan chambers, such passage belng arranged concentric with the fan in such chamber.

16. A multi 1e fan comprising a cylindrlcal casing avin transverse partitions, three shafts journa ed in the casing and :paced equidistant apart about the axis of.

e casing, fans mounted on the shafts one in each s ace between the partitions, each partition aving an openin therethrough concentric with one of the s afts and serving as an outlet for the space on one side of the partition, and an in ct for the fan on the other side of the partition, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. A multiple fan comprising heads, a spaced apart transverse partition between the heads, and having marginal flanges for spacing the partition apart, a centrally located fastening member extending throu h the heads and the partitions, and sha -s spaced apart about the fastening member, and journaled in the heads, fans mounted on the shafts one in each space between the partitions, each space being connected in series with the next space, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. A multiple fan comprising a cylindrical casing having an inlet and an outlet in opposite ends thereof, fan chambers extendmg transversely of the casing and connected in a series extending from one end of the casing to the other, a plurality of shafts extending lengthwise of the-casing transversely through the fan chambers, fans mounted on the shafts, the fans located in adjacent chambers being mounted on different shafts, passages connecting adjacent chambers, such passages being arrange concentric with the shaft on which the fan in one of such chambers is located.

19.- A multiple fan comprising a casing having fan chambers therein connected in series, shafts journaled in the casing an extending lengthwisev thereof transversely throu h the fan chambers, said shafts being spaced equidistant apa t about a common center, fans mounted 1n series on the shafts, one fan in each chamber, a pulley mounted on the shaft, a driving wheel mounted approximately concentric with said common center, and a belt extending around the pulleys and having the run between two of the pulle s looped inwardly around the drivmg whee substantially as and for the purpose specified.

20. A multiple fan comprising a cylindrical casing comprising opposing heads having an inlet and an outlet respectively, the heads having annular flanges on the1r opposing faces, discoidal partitions spaced apart between the heads, a shell comprising a strip wra ped around the flanges of the mnLson H. HENDERSON. 

